No...I did not go on a blogging strike.

Yes...you get to look at our Southern California Vacation Pictures....

I tried to make it as short and sweet as possible!
Here are the highlights.Wednesday
Coronado Beach: Justin's kite flying almost to the hotel while he chased it 5 ft behind It was hilarious...until I realized he was crying. Luckily, after 2 or 3 minutes it crashed! Anna barely touched the water but loved the beach and stared with amazement at the ocean.

Thursday

SanDiego Zoo: Lots and lots and lots of walking, amazing animals, more walking, and a very exhausted pregant mommy!.

Justin was most excited to see the Crocodile and loved petting goats. My favorite: the Orangutans which I watched for half and hour.
Anna spent most of the day asleep in the back of the stroller sick...except when she got to take a bath in the bathroom due to a massive diaper explosion. Thank heavens for the private handicap bathroom with a very large sink....and that I actually brought a change of clothes for once!

Friday

Camping at San Diego Metro K.O.A...at 8 months pregnant, only because I love my blowup mattress!
And of course....IKEA...Again.

Birch Aquarium: Where Justin got to touch a "nice" shark, we saw cool creatures and we spent a long time playing with the water table.

Downtown Disney: Only crazy people visit this place on a Summer Friday Night.

Saturday
L.A. Temple for Steve and Colleen Gurerro's Wedding: What a cute couple they are! We are so happy our sweet friend Steve found such a cute girl. They had such a fun reception. Justin's favorite part was chasing the girls in pretty dresses!

Santa Monica Beach: We can't get enough of the beach...

Sunday....and Monday.
(Hopefully not Tuesday too)
Home Sweet Home...where I am avoiding the not so sweet stuff!
Our poor van: What happens when you go to the beach, camping, a wedding, the zoo, an aquarium, DT Disney and IKEA then get home 2:30 a.m. on Sunday Morning after a nice vacation. I need a vacation!

The car still looks exactly like this...36 hours later. Yikes.

We got a doggie!

We just got the PERFECT dog!!!

Anna absolutely adores dogs. It was one of the 1st fancy words she learned. She squeals with delight whenever we see a picture of a dog. Justin has been asking for a dog since he was 3.
So...You can imagine my excitement when our nice bishop came to our car carrying Frank The Dog... Anna had met frank the day before at our ward 4th of July party and couldn't get enough of him (see pictures from the 4th post.) She hugged, pet and held him for half an hour! The bishop (see picture of him w/a wig on in 4th post too) noticed her excitement and just GAVE Frank to us! Anna has been a happy girl ever since. Justin told me the other day, "We have two pets now. Our dog Frank and fish Jojo."

Here are just some of the reasons I love him so:
(I'm sure there will be more to add to the list the more we get to know him)

He's huggable.
He doesn't shed.
He's house trained and has never lifted his leg on my furniture.
He doesn't bark...ever, so the neighbors love him.
He doesn't get on the furniture unless we put him there.
He has a small appetite.
He's patient.
He is wonderful with children.
He has great breath.
He sleeps in Anna's room when she is lonely.
He's always up to date on needed shots.
He lets Anna drag him around by the ear all day long without a complaint!


I have a bit of a confession to make. I'm sorry to say that it will be a very, very long time before Justin will be able to convince me to get a real dog. I kind of feel bad that I'm not quite up to a real dog. I just don't need one more living thing to clean up after...Do you blame me? Is a real dog worth it??? Plus, after having Frank around, I'm going to have unreasonably high expectations. At least my kids are young and easy to please.

shine

So I got this e-mail from Patrick while he was at work.

Patrick J. Morris

show details Jul 10 (2 days ago)

Reply

Whenever I listen to this song it reminds me of you.

It should be on the computer.

Artist: Mike Oldfield
Song : Shine (extended version)
Album : The Platinum Collection [UK] Disc 3

Love, Patrick

I found the music video and just cracked up! Patrick has very interesting taste in music but this song is the BEST SONG EVER...in a weird, 90's, gold chain wearin', chess playin', cymbals crashing kind of way....! I guess it's my official song now. What a funny husband I have. This was better than a dozen roses...cheaper too! I love you too Patrick!

Patrick J. Morris

Whenever I listen to this song it reminds me of you. It should be on the comp...

Jul 10 (2 days ago)

Patrick J. MorrisLoading...

Jul 10 (2 days ago)

Professional Napper

Recently I started realizing how many pictures I have taken of Anna in a variety of sleeping positions and locations. She can fall asleep just about anywhere. I just love how little ones look when they sleep!

And you know what they say: "let sleeping babies lie..."
(or was it dogs???...Oh well, that's what I say!)

...whether it's at the water park, on the ottoman, on the garage floor, in the easy chair,

at the counter, reading Elmo, snuggled up to a dress-up skirt,

... during lunch, "comfortably" nestled into the baby hiking backpack, at Super Summer Theater, or in the middle of the night after being put to sleep in bed by daddy.

...but I don't know about following that rule,
when it comes to sleeping on the kitchen stool!

UPDATE: New position of the day!

Anna will be offering a seminar "the art of creative sleeping. " for any who are interested, contact her agent.

Yum!

One of the true joys of Summer!

Justin just MIGHT enjoy his watermelon more than I do!?!

or...maybe Anna wins the prize!?!?

During my b-day party she made here way to the watermelon tray and had a hay day!

Watermelon is my top craving at this point in my pregnancy. Our family can eat an entire watermelon in one day...thanks to me! Sometime I consider enjoying it on the level that Anna does! I wonder if it tastes better when it's dripping down your face and neck!?!
Yum!

Fun Filled Fourth!

The ward Fourth of July breakfast and bike parade... I loved: seeing all of the kids ride around on their fancy bikes, watching Anna ride in the radio flyer with her favorite dog Frank and eating the lovely watermelon and berry pancakes!

The wonderful bbq thrown by our friends Michelle, Jason and Ruth: Jason works for TNT and got THOUSANDS of dollars worth of fireworks for us to enjoy for free. Jason sure enjoyed putting on the display..It was VERY LOUD, SMOKEY, BRIGHT and EXCITING! It was the 1st year Justin loved the fireworks. Anna couldn't figure out what was going on!

My dad's cul-d-sac fireworks EXTRAVAGANZA...Every year it just gets better and better....A guy down his street spends thousands on the "other kind" of fireworks and puts on a wonderful show for us. The pictures don't do it justice. Thousands of dollars up in smoke... What a fun night!
NEW!!! The Afflecks took some great footage... go to their blog to see for yourself.
http://afflecks.blogspot.com/2008/07/our-grand-finale.html

What a nice surprise.

I've been a good girl and haven't been on the computer all day...I just checked my e-mail and saw the Birthday post that I didn't post......done by my husband. I had no idea! What a nice little surprise. THANKS PATRICK! I'd love to see ANYONE who is in town! :) Consider this your official invitation!

Birthday Party

Julie is having a birthday party this Saturday (7/5). She is turning 30 years old! A big 3 decades.

Man that is old!

The party will be from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM or so, at our place.

If you need directions then please call 354-0761.

We will be serving lunch, but if you would like some more options then please bring something to share.